Portable air compressor

ABSTRACT

A wheelbarrow compressor is disclosed that includes first and second reservoirs having first and second portions, a handle assembly attached with the first portion and a wheel assembly attached with the second portion, and at least one first secondary handle and at least one second secondary handle. The at least one first secondary handle is attached to at least one of the reservoirs. The at least one second secondary handle is attached to at least one of the reservoirs. One of the secondary handles is located closer to the second portion than the other of the secondary handles. The handle assembly is not either of the secondary handles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/731,999, filed Apr. 2, 2007, which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to compressor assemblies, and, inparticular, relates to portable compressor assemblies.

Several types of compressors currently exist, some of which are portableand often include an air storage tank that normally includes either oneor two air reservoirs for storing compressed air and, with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the tank, a wheel located at one end of the airtank and a handle at the opposite end of the tank. The compressors withtwo air reservoirs generally utilize one wheel while the singlereservoir compressors of this type generally utilize two wheels. Thesesingle and double reservoir types of compressors are often referred toas wheelbarrow compressors. The compressor will also include componentsto compress the air. These components generally include a motor assemblyand a pump assembly. Due to space constraints, these componentstypically are mounted on top of the air tanks. One example of such acompressor is made by Campbell Hausfeld, model number GP90135, which isshown in FIG. 12.

Mounting the components on top of the air tanks results in severaldisadvantages. One disadvantage is the high center of gravity thatresults from mounting the components on top of the air tanks. The highcenter of gravity is particularly inconvenient for a user manuallytransporting the compressor and may result in a user losing control ofthe compressor. This is particularly the case in the two-reservoirwheelbarrow-style compressors used at worksites that are oftentransported in a wheelbarrow type manner up and down narrow woodenramps. Additionally, the high center of gravity may cause the aircompressor to be unstable and prone to tipping or tilting when beingused.

Moreover, such compressors may be difficult to package and store for, byway of example, shipping, warehousing or retail purposes. When packaged,the air compressors are often shipped, stored or displayed by beingstacked atop one another on shelves. Existing compressors tend to havehigh profiles (i.e., are of a taller height). Thus, when packaged, alarge amount of storage space may be necessary. Likewise, if thecompressors are shipped in large shipping containers, the compressorheight limits the number of units that can be packed into a container.Moreover, a greater amount of packaging materials may be necessary dueto the high profile of the compressor.

Additionally, the handles on such tanks also can cause difficulties whenstoring the compressors. The handles on such compressors often projectoutwardly and upwardly from the compressor. Such a configuration againresults in an increased height and length and the need for a greateramount of storage space and packaging material.

SUMMARY

In one construction, the invention provides a wheelbarrow compressor.The wheelbarrow compressor includes a first reservoir and a secondreservoir, a handle assembly attached with a first portion of at leastone of the first and second reservoirs and a wheel assembly attachedwith a second portion of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs, and at least one first secondary handle and at least onesecond secondary handle. The at least one first secondary handle isattached to one of a top portion and a side portion of at least one ofthe first and second reservoirs. The at least one second secondaryhandle is attached to one of a top portion and a side portion of atleast one of the first and second reservoirs. One of the first andsecond secondary handles is located closer to the second portion of thefirst and second reservoirs, and the handle assembly is not either ofthe first and second secondary handles.

In another construction, the invention provides a wheelbarrowcompressor. The wheelbarrow compressor includes a first reservoir and asecond reservoir, a handle assembly attached with a first portion of atleast one of the first and second reservoirs and a wheel assemblyattached with a second portion of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs, and first and second secondary handles. The first secondaryhandle is attached to one of a top portion and a side portion of thefirst reservoir and to one of a top portion and a side portion of thesecond reservoir. The second secondary handle attached to one of a topportion and a side portion of the first reservoir and to one of a topportion and a side portion of the second reservoir. One of the first andsecond secondary handles is located at the second portion of the firstand second reservoirs and the other of the first and second secondaryhandles is located at the first portion of the first and secondreservoirs, and the handle assembly is not either of the first andsecond secondary handles.

In yet another construction, the invention provides a wheelbarrowcompressor. The wheelbarrow compressor includes a bottom facing asupport surface upon which the wheelbarrow compressor rests in a normaloperating position, a top located opposite the bottom, a first reservoirand a second reservoir, a handle assembly, a wheel assembly, and firstand second secondary handles. The handle assembly is attached with afirst portion of at least one of the first and second reservoirs, andthe wheel assembly is attached with a second portion of at least one ofthe first and second reservoirs. The first secondary handle is attachedto one of a top portion and a side portion of at least one of the firstand second reservoirs. The second secondary handle is attached to one ofa top portion and a side portion of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs. The first secondary handle is located at a distance that iscloser to a center of gravity of the wheelbarrow compressor than adistance of the second secondary handle relative to the center ofgravity, and the distances are measured substantially parallel to thesupport surface when the wheelbarrow compressor is resting in the normaloperating position. The handle assembly is not either of the first andsecond secondary handles.

In yet another construction, the invention provides a wheelbarrowcompressor. The wheelbarrow compressor includes a bottom facing asupport surface upon which the wheelbarrow compressor rests in a normaloperating position, a top located opposite the bottom, a motor, a pumpoperatively connected to the motor, first and second reservoirs forstoring a fluid, at least one primary handle, a wheel assembly, andfirst and second secondary handles. The first reservoir is in fluidcommunication with the pump to deliver the fluid thereto, and the secondreservoir is in fluid communication with the pump to deliver the fluidthereto. The at least one primary handle is located proximate a firstend of at least one of the first and second reservoirs. The wheelassembly is located proximate a second end of at least one of the firstand second reservoirs, and the second end is generally opposite thefirst end, and the at least one primary handle is for lifting the firstend of the wheelbarrow compressor such that only the wheel assemblyengages the support surface. The first secondary handle is coupled tothe wheelbarrow compressor at a first distance from a center of gravityof the wheelbarrow compressor measured in a direction substantiallyparallel to the support surface when the wheelbarrow compressor isresting in the normal operating position. The second secondary handle iscoupled to the wheelbarrow compressor at a second distance from thecenter of gravity measured in a direction substantially parallel to thesupport surface when the wheelbarrow compressor is resting in the normaloperating position. The first distance is less than the second distance,and the at least one primary handle is not either of the first andsecond secondary handles.

Before turning to the drawings and the detailed description, it shouldbe noted that although the detailed description describes an aircompressor, those skilled in the art will recognize that the novelcompressor disclosed herein may be used with other types of compressedgas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a compressor assembly.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the compressor assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the compressor assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of a compressorassembly.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an additional alternate embodiment of acompressor assembly.

FIG. 5 is top view of the compressor assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an additional alternate embodiment ofthe compressor assembly having a movable handle assembly.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an additional alternate embodiment of thecompressor assembly having a movable handle assembly.

FIG. 7 a is a partial view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, showing a handleinserted in a sleeve.

FIG. 7 b is a partial view of a handle having a plurality of nestingportions.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a compressor assembly having skids andlifting handles.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the embodiment of the compressor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an air reservoir.

FIG. 11 is a view of a pump and motor.

FIG. 12 is a view of a prior-art air compressor.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a compressor having secondary handles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, a novel air compressor 2 is disclosed. The aircompressor has an air storage tank that includes at least one airreservoir 4 for storing a pressurized gas, with there preferably beingtwo air reservoirs 4 included. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the airreservoirs each include a top portion 23, two side portions, i.e., anouter side portion 24, an inner side portion 21 and a bottom portion 8.The air reservoirs 4 are attached to a base 6 and are oriented such thata longitudinal axis 7 of each reservoir is substantially parallel to ahorizontal plane 9 upon which the air compressor rests. The reservoirs 4preferably are located at opposite sides of the base 6.

The base may be a one-piece base, or, alternatively and as shown in FIG.3, the base may be more than one piece. As shown in one preferredembodiment, the base may include a support 6 a and a bracket 6 b mountedto the bottom portion 8 of each air reservoirs 4. In an alternateembodiment, and as shown in FIG. 3 a, the base need not include asupport 6 a, and instead may be comprised of a plurality of tabs 78. Inadditional alternate embodiments, the base may be comprised of brackets,weldments, tubes or the like. In such embodiments, the air reservoirs 4and other compressor components are mounted or otherwise supported bythe tabs, brackets, weldments, or tubes. Alternatively, the compressorcomponents may be attached to the inner side portions 21 of the airreservoirs 4.

The base also includes a recess 10, which, in a preferred embodiment, isa through-hole in the base. The recess 10 accommodates a flywheel 12 sothat the compressor can be mounted in an ultra-low profile manner on thebase. That is, a portion of the flywheel 12 may pass through the recess10. The air reservoirs 4 are positioned on the base 6 such that there isa space 14 between them. As explained further below, additionalcomponents of the air compressor are supported in the space 14 and onthe portion of the base between the reservoirs.

A handle assembly 16 is attached to a first portion 18 of at least oneof the air reservoirs 4 and a wheel assembly 26 attached to a secondportion 20 of at least one of the air reservoirs 4. The first and secondportions 18, 20 are the portions to the left and right of the reservoir4 length midpoint indicated by the line M in FIG. 1, respectively.

Although FIGS. 1-3 show the handle assembly and wheel assembly directlymounted to the air reservoirs 4, in alternate embodiments they need notbe directly attached to an air reservoir. Preferably, the handleassembly includes two handles 22, each of which projects outwardly fromthe first portion 18 of the air reservoir 4 and is attached to the outerside portion 24 of each air reservoir 4. More preferably, and as shownin FIG. 1, the handles 22 are substantially horizontal with respect tothe horizontal plane 9, with the exception of an end portion 28 of eachhandle 22, which, for ergonomic purposes, may angle towards thehorizontal plane 9. Optionally, the end portion 28 of the each handleincludes a grip 30 for the ease of a user to grasp the handles 22.

The wheel assembly 26 includes a wheel 28 that is mounted to a pair ofbrackets 32, each of which connects the wheel 28 to the air reservoir 4.As with the handle assembly, the wheel assembly need not be directlymounted to the air reservoirs. As disclosed above, the wheel assembly isattached to the second portion 20 of the air reservoirs 4, opposite thefirst portion 18, such that a user may grasp the handles and transportthe air compressor, such that the air compressor rolls on the wheel. Theconfiguration of such an air compressor is known as a “wheelbarrow”style air compressor.

Compressor components 34 to compress gas to be stored within the airreservoirs are operatively connected with the air reservoir andgenerally are located in the space 14 between the air tanks andsupported by the base. The components may include a pump assembly 36 anda motor assembly 38. The motor assembly 38 may include an electric motoror a gas engine 38 a, and, furthermore, embodiments that include a gasengine may also include a fuel tank 40, depending on the design of themotor assembly. A flywheel 12 is attached to the motor assembly. Thepump assembly 36 includes a pump 36 a. The pump assembly 36 is fluidlyconnected to the air reservoirs 4 and the motor assembly 38 isoperatively connected to the pump assembly 36. In addition, and asdescribed above, the flywheel 12 is positioned so as to be at leastpartially within the recess.

The compressor components may be located anywhere in the space along thebase. In one preferred example, the motor may be located in the spaceapproximately four inches behind the wheel. In another embodiment, thepump may be located in the space immediately behind the wheel.

Having the compressor components 34 disposed on the base 6 between theair reservoirs 4 results in the air compressor having a center ofgravity lower than prior-art air compressors, and more preferably,results in the air compressor having a center of gravity lower than anuppermost surface 27 of the air reservoirs. As shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and10, the uppermost surface 27 of the air reservoirs is part of the topportion 23 and is the highest part of the reservoir from the ground whenmeasured in its normal operating position. For the air reservoirs 4,which are generally cylindrical reservoirs having a generally circularcross section, the uppermost surface 27 generally will be identified bythe tangent, indicated as T in FIGS. 9 and 10, to the cross section thatis the farthest distance from the ground during normal operatingconditions.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, in alternate embodiments, the benefits ofthe present invention may be realized based on the position ofbottom-most portions 37, 39 of the pump 36 a and the motor 38 a withrespect to the air reservoirs 4. The bottom-most portions are the lowestportions of the pump and motor from the ground when measured in theirnormal operating positions. With reference to FIG. 10, which shows across-section of a circular air reservoir 4, the reservoir may bedivided into quadrants: an uppermost quadrant 70, an upper-mid quadrant72, a lower-mid quadrant 74 and a lower-most quadrant 76. Preferably,the bottom-most portions 37, 39 of the pump 36 a and the motor 38 a,respectively, are no higher than the uppermost quadrant 70 of the airreservoirs 4. Even more preferably, in order of ascending preference:the bottom-most portions 37, 39 of the pump 36 a and the motor 38 a areno higher than the upper-mid quadrant 72; the bottom-most portions 37,39 of the pump 36 a and the motor 38 a are no higher than the lower-midquadrant 74; and most preferably, the bottom-most portions 37, 39 of thepump 36 a and the motor 38 a are no higher than the lower-most quadrant76. In alternate embodiments that do not include air reservoirs withcircular cross-section, the reservoirs nonetheless may be similarlydivided into quadrants.

Unlike the embodiments described herein, prior-art air compressors suchas the Campbell Hausfeld model number GP90135 compressor (FIG. 12)typically mount air compressor components on an upper portion of an airreservoir, resulting in air compressors that have a higher center ofgravity. This results in a higher center of gravity that contributes tothe instability of the air compressor and makes it more prone to tippingor tilting, especially when being transported, resulting in aninconvenience to a user transporting the compressor.

In contrast, having the pump and motor assemblies of the present aircompressor on the base 6 between the air reservoirs 4, as opposed to anupper portion of the air reservoir, lowers vertical height of thecompressor and, in turn, the center of gravity. Lowering the verticalheight of the compressor adds stability to the compressor and furtherdiscourages tipping or tilting. Preferably, and as described above, thecenter of gravity is below the uppermost surface of the air reservoirs.In an alternate embodiment, and as also been described above, it also ispreferable to have the bottom-most portions of the pump and the motor beno higher than the uppermost quadrant of the air reservoirs. Suchembodiments highly reduce the likelihood of having the air compressortip or tilt while being transported and make transporting the compressormuch easier.

Optionally, and to add further stability to the air compressor, thewheel 28 of the compressor may be enlarged to a size approximately equalto or greater than the air compressor profile, as shown in FIG. 1. Ascompared to compressors with smaller wheels, the enlarged wheel 28reduces the amount of pivoting about the central axis of the wheel needsto be pivoted in order to lift the compressor with the handle assembly.Advantageously, the smaller amount of pivoting results in less forcebeing exerted on a user's arms and makes the compressor easier totransport with the wheel over a rough terrain.

Moreover, having the air compressor components disposed on the baseresults in an air compressor having a height or profile, measured withrespect to the horizontal plane, lower than the profile of prior artcompressors. This provides benefits with respect to the shipping andpackaging of the air compressor. The lower height profile requires lesspackaging material. Also, the lower profile requires less storage spacewhen being packaged. When packaged, the air compressors are often storedor displayed by being stacked atop one another on shelves. With thelower profile, more units may be stacked on top of one another withinthe same space. This is particularly advantageous when shipping thecompressors. Shipping often is done by using large containers that aretransported on boats, trains, or trucks. The low profile allows for morecompressors to be packed into a container, thereby reducing the shippingcosts.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternate embodiment of an air compressor, whichis similar to the embodiments described in FIGS. 1-3 and with likecomponents having like numerals. As with the embodiments described withrespect to FIGS. 1-3, the air compressor includes at least one airreservoir 4, and, more preferably, includes two air reservoirs 4.Moreover, the compressor components, the base, handle assembly and wheelassembly generally are the same as the embodiments described withrespect to FIGS. 1-3 and use the same reference numbers.

However, with respect to the air reservoir longitudinal axis 7, at leastone air reservoir is oriented on the base so that it is angled withrespect to a central axis 44 that passes through the wheel 26, with thecentral axis thus being defined as being generally perpendicular to therotational axis of the wheel. Preferably, the reservoir 4 will bepositioned at an angle a, labeled in FIG. 4 as 42, in a range of aboutone and one-half through five degrees, although in other embodiments theangle a may have a lesser or greater value depending on designspecifications. Because the air reservoirs are angled, the width of thecompressor 2 near the wheel assembly 26 will be less then the width ofthe remainder of the air compressor in the direction toward the handleassembly 16, with the width increasing towards handle assembly 16.

The pump assembly 36 and motor assembly 38 are at least partiallydisposed on the top portion 23 of one of the air reservoirs 4 and arepositioned so that the profile P of these air compressor components,when viewing FIG. 4, is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis7 of the air reservoir. Having the profile P substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the air reservoir leaves room for a flywheel 12to be disposed in the space 14 and attached to the base 6. The space 14is large enough to accommodate flywheels of a variety of sizes, so thata flywheel of a larger size does not need to be disposed on thereservoir. Thus, and advantageously, a larger flywheel will not greatlyincrease the height of the compressor, so that the disadvantagesdescribed above associated with compressors having high profiles may beavoided. Although not required, the present embodiment preferablycontemplates incorporating a flywheel larger than the flywheel disclosedin the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. As shown in FIG. 5, theflywheel 12 may be covered by a housing 46. Optionally, and as describedabove, the base may include the recess 10 for partially receiving theflywheel.

As with the embodiments described above, the present embodiment of theair compressor results in a compressor having a lower-center of gravitythan prior-art compressors. This is because prior-art air compressorstypically mount the flywheel on an upper portion of the reservoir, thusraising the center of gravity. Moreover, angling at least one airreservoir results in the air compressor having a lower profile thanprior-art compressors due to the flywheel being lower, thus providingthe additional packaging benefits described above.

The embodiments described above may incorporate additional featureswithout departing from the scope of the invention. One such featureincludes movable handles 22 that may ergonomically accommodate a usertransporting the compressor with the handle assembly and wheel assembly.Additionally, the movable handles 22 may be storable so that theyfacilitate the convenient storage of the handles. The movable handlesmay rotate, fold, slide, telescope, or retract in order to facilitateergonomic adjustments or storability. Additionally, the movable handlesmay be removable. Handles that are removable may be stored in a separatelocation on or near the compressor.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each handle 22 of the handle assembly may beattached to the air reservoir with a joint 48 so that the handle may berotated. The joint 48 may be of the type to allow movement about ahorizontal axis H and/or a vertical axis V, or alternatively, mayinclude be a U-joint that allows an unlimited degree of freedom ofmovement. The joint preferably is attached to the outer side portion 24or the top portion 23 of the air reservoir. Alternatively, the joint 48and handle 22 may be mounted to the inner side portion 21 of thereservoir. Such an alternate embodiment may be particularly desirablefor the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, although the joint and handle maybe mounted in such a way for any of the embodiments described herein. Inyet alternate embodiments, the joint and handle may be attached to thebottom portion 8. The handle 22 may be rotated as shown by the dashedline R so that it stores in a position parallel and adjacent to thereservoir 4 (shown in phantom in FIG. 6 as 22 a).

In yet alternate embodiments, each handle may be modified to be slidablymovable. Referring to FIG. 7, a sleeve 50 is mounted to the firstportion 18 of the air reservoir, and may be mounted on either of theouter side portion 24, the top portion 23, the bottom portion 8 or theinner side portion 21 of the air reservoir. The handle 22 is slidablyengaged with the sleeve 50. The handle 22, upon the release of a lock52, may move freely within the sleeve 50, thus facilitating atelescoping action of the handle. In one preferred embodiment, the lock52 includes a hole 54 in the handle and a hole 56 in the sleeve 50. Whenthe holes are aligned, a pin 58 may be inserted into the holes toprevent the handle from moving within the sleeve. Advantageously,multiple holes may be provided along the handle so that the handle canbe locked into multiple positions with respect to the sleeve.

As shown in FIG. 7, the handle 22 b may be removed from a first end 66of the sleeve 50 and inserted into a second end 68 of the sleeve so thatthe handle 22 b does not project outwardly from the air reservoir.Additionally, and as shown in FIG. 7 a, the handles 22 b may be fullyinserted into the sleeves 50. Advantageously, both of these positionsreduce the amount of space required to store the compressor and theamount of packaging required for prepurchase shipping and storage.Alternatively, stops on the handle may prevent the handle fromseparating from the sleeve. Additionally, the sleeves 50 may beincorporated into the joint 48 so that the handles may be both rotatedand telescoped.

In another alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 7 b, each handle 22 c mayinclude a plurality of nesting portions 80 that allow telescopicmovement by collapsing or nesting within each other, as compared to FIG.7 a, where the handle 22 b is able to slide in and out of the sleeve 50.The nesting portions 80 may be partially nested so that less than all ofthe nesting portions are collapsed or entirely nested. Detents or othercommonly known release mechanisms may be incorporated to selectivelyretain the nesting portions 80 in a nested or partially-nested position.Moreover, such nested handles may be removable so that they do notproject outwardly from the air reservoir as described above.

The movable handles provide several benefits. The handles may be rotatedor telescoped so that they do not project outwardly from the firstportion of the compressor, resulting in a compact air compressor, whichprovides further benefits with respect to shipping, storage andpackaging as described above. Moreover, the handles may be readilyadjusted to multiple positions so as to be more comfortable for a user.In fact, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the handles may bemodified to both telescope and rotate as described above.

Referring to FIG. 8, each reservoir 4 may include a skid 60 attached tothe bottom portion 8 of the reservoir 4. The skids 60 facilitate thesliding of the air compressor that under certain circumstances may beuseful. For example, the skids may be used when loading the compressorinto the back of a vehicle, or other situations where it may not bedesirable to use the wheel assembly to transport the compressor.Specifically, when the compressor is lifted off the ground to be loadedinto the back of the vehicle (e.g., the bed of a pick-up truck), theskids may be used to slide the compressor once they have made pointcontact with the edge of the back of the vehicle.

The skids preferably are of a material conducive to sliding, such as anelastomeric material. While the skids preferably extend across nearlythe entire bottom portion 8, in alternate embodiments, the skids mayextend across less than nearly the entire length of the bottom portion.Moreover, in yet alternate embodiments, a skid may be made up of severalpieces of material, which may be either continuous or not continuous,attached across the bottom portion 8 of the air reservoir.

Optionally, the air compressor may include secondary handles 62,disposed on the air reservoirs 4. The secondary handles 62 are helpfulfor lifting the compressor. Preferably, the secondary handles arerollbar-style handles as shown in FIG. 8, and may additionally serve toprotect compressor components in the event the compressor tips over.However, in alternate embodiments, the secondary handles 62 may haveother shapes as well, and may not provide both benefits depending ontheir shape. Preferably, each secondary handle is partially disposed onthe top portion 23 of each air reservoir, although in other embodimentsthe secondary handles may be otherwise disposed. For example, at leastone secondary handle may be disposed on each reservoir. Moreover, thesecondary handles may be disposed on the outer side portion 24 of theair reservoir. Optionally, grips 64 may be disposed on the handles tofurther facilitate the lifting of the compressor.

Preferably, the secondary handles will be offset from each other suchthat the handle 62 a disposed on the second portion 20 is shorter thanthe handle 62 b disposed on the first portion 18. In a preferredembodiment, the offset will be about 3.875 inches, although in otherembodiments the offset may be more than or less than this number.However, handles that differ in height as a result of manufacturingtolerances, i.e., handles that are not meant to be offset, are notsecondary handles. Manufacturing tolerances for such handles are mostoften less than ¾ inch and usually are closer to ¼ inch.

As a result, if each secondary handle is used to lift the aircompressor, the second portion 20 is raised higher than the firstportion 18, which usually will aid in the loading of the air compressorinto the back of a truck or other vehicle. When the offset handles andskids are both used, loading the compressor (e.g., loading thecompressor into the back of a pick-up truck) is particularlyfacilitated. Specifically, when lifted, the second portion 20 will behigher than the first portion 18. The operator may then easily rest theskids 60, which are on the bottom surface 25 of the second portion 20,on the truck bed and easily slide the compressor into the truck.

In another preferred embodiment, and referring to FIG. 13, the secondaryhandles 62 a, 62 b are arranged relative to the compressor's center ofgravity, depicted as CG. The secondary handles 62 a, 62 b may bedisposed on the air reservoirs as described in the above embodiments.The first secondary handle 62 a is located at horizontal distance Y1from the center of gravity CG and second secondary handle 62 b islocated at a distance Y2 from the center of gravity CG. If the firstdistance Y1 is less than the second distance Y2, then a vertical heightZ1 of the first secondary handle 62 a should be greater than a verticalheight Z2 of the second secondary handle 62 b so that the secondaryhandles 62 a, 62 b are offset as described above. Arranging thesecondary handles in such a fashion will provide the benefits associatedwith lifting the compressor described above.

The compressor shown in FIG. 8 is particularly advantageous when it isused in a compressor having reservoirs with a capacity less than two andone-half gallons each, which capacity allows the compressor to be easilytransported and lifted by a single user. In other embodiments, however,the air reservoirs may have a greater capacity. For example, in analternate preferred embodiment the air reservoirs may have a capacity ina range of four to four and one-half gallons each, although the airreservoirs are not required to be limited to such a capacity.

The air compressor may include alternate embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. For example, rather than asingle wheel assembly, a wheel assembly may be attached to the firstportion of each air reservoir. Moreover, the handle assembly may haveother shapes, including a unitary, u-shaped handle, without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Also, referring to FIG. 8, the handles22 may rotate and/or telescope and/or lock, and may use the skids 60 assleeves, in the manner described above with respect to FIG. 7.Furthermore, the compressor components may be enclosed within a housingor shroud and the shroud may be located in the space between the airreservoirs.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description beregarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understoodthat it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that areintended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.

1. A wheelbarrow compressor comprising: a first reservoir and a secondreservoir; a handle assembly attached with a first portion of at leastone of the first and second reservoirs and a wheel assembly attachedwith a second portion of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs; at least one first secondary handle attached to one of a topportion and a side portion of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs; at least one second secondary handle attached to one of atop portion and a side portion of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs; and wherein one of the first and second secondary handles islocated closer to the second portion of the first and second reservoirsthan the other of the first and second secondary handles, and whereinthe handle assembly is not either of the first and second secondaryhandles.
 2. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond secondary handles are offset from each other such that a heightof the first or second secondary handle located closer to the secondportion of the first and second reservoirs is less than a height of theother first or second secondary handle.
 3. The wheelbarrow compressor ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second secondary handles are attached toa top portion of each of the first and second reservoirs.
 4. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, further comprising skids attachedwith at least a portion of a bottom surface of the first and secondreservoirs.
 5. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 4, where the skidsare made of an elastomeric material.
 6. The wheelbarrow compressor ofclaim 1, wherein the handle assembly further comprises a first sleeveattached with the first portion of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs and a handle configured to slidably engage the sleeve in atelescoping manner.
 7. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first and second reservoirs is angled with respect to acentral axis defined by the orientation of the wheel assembly.
 8. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 1 having a center of gravity whoseheight is no greater than an uppermost surface of the first and secondreservoirs.
 9. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 1, furthercomprising: a base; and a pump and a motor operatively connected withthe reservoirs, wherein the first and second reservoirs include bottomportions located at opposite sides of the base, wherein the base islocated below an uppermost surface of the first and the secondreservoirs, and wherein the motor and pump are disposed on the base andbetween the reservoirs.
 10. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 9,wherein bottom-most portions of the pump and the motor are no higherthan uppermost quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
 11. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 10, wherein the bottom-most portions ofthe pump and the motor are no higher than upper-mid quadrants of thefirst and the second reservoirs.
 12. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim10, wherein the bottom-most portions of the pump and the motor are nohigher than lower-mid quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.13. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 10, wherein the bottom-mostportions of the pump and the motor are no higher than lower-mostquadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
 14. A wheelbarrowcompressor comprising: a first reservoir and a second reservoir; ahandle assembly attached with a first portion of at least one of thefirst and second reservoirs and a wheel assembly attached with a secondportion of at least one of the first and second reservoirs; a firstsecondary handle attached to one of a top portion and a side portion ofthe first reservoir and to one of a top portion and a side portion ofthe second reservoir; a second secondary handle attached to one of a topportion and a side portion of the first reservoir and to one of a topportion and a side portion of the second reservoir; and wherein one ofthe first and second secondary handles is located at the second portionof the first and second reservoirs and the other of the first and secondsecondary handles is located at the first portion of the first andsecond reservoirs, and wherein the handle assembly is not either of thefirst and second secondary handles.
 15. The wheelbarrow compressor ofclaim 14, wherein the first and second secondary handles are attached tothe top portion of each of the first and second reservoirs.
 16. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 14, further comprising a center ofgravity, wherein the first secondary handle is located at a horizontaldistance that is closer to the center of gravity than the secondsecondary handle, and wherein the first and second secondary handles areoffset from each other such that the height of the first secondaryhandle is greater than the height of the second secondary handle. 17.The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 14, further comprising skidsattached with at least a portion of a bottom surface of the first andsecond reservoirs.
 18. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 17, where theskids are made of an elastomeric material.
 19. The wheelbarrowcompressor of claim 14 having a center of gravity with a height nogreater than an uppermost surface of the first and second reservoirs.20. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 14, further comprising: a base;and a pump and a motor operatively connected with the reservoirs,wherein the first and second reservoirs include bottom portions locatedat opposite sides of the base, wherein the base is located below anuppermost surface of the first and the second reservoirs, and whereinthe motor and pump are disposed on the base and between the reservoirs.21. A wheelbarrow compressor comprising: a bottom facing a supportsurface upon which the wheelbarrow compressor rests in a normaloperating position; a top located opposite the bottom; a first reservoirand a second reservoir; a handle assembly attached with a first portionof at least one of the first and second reservoirs and a wheel assemblyattached with a second portion of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs; a first secondary handle attached to one of a top portionand a side portion of at least one of the first and second reservoirs; asecond secondary handle attached to one of a top portion and a sideportion of at least one of the first and second reservoirs; wherein thefirst secondary handle is located at a distance that is closer to acenter of gravity of the wheelbarrow compressor than a distance of thesecond secondary handle relative to the center of gravity, wherein thedistances are measured substantially parallel to the support surfacewhen the wheelbarrow compressor is resting in the normal operatingposition, and wherein the handle assembly is not either of the first andsecond secondary handles.
 22. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 21,wherein the first and second secondary handles are offset from eachother such that a height of the first secondary handle is greater than aheight of the second secondary handle, wherein the heights are measuredsubstantially perpendicular to the support surface when the wheelbarrowcompressor is resting in the normal operating position.
 23. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 21, wherein one of the first and secondsecondary handles is located closer to the second portion of the firstand second reservoirs, and wherein the first and second secondaryhandles are offset from each other such that a height of the first orsecond secondary handle located closer to the second portion of thefirst and second reservoirs is less than a height of the other first orsecond secondary handle when the wheelbarrow compressor is resting inthe normal operating position.
 24. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim21, wherein the first and second secondary handles are attached to thetop portion of each of the first and second reservoirs.
 25. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 21, further comprising skids attachedwith at least a portion of a bottom surface of the first and secondreservoirs.
 26. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 25, where the skidsare made of an elastomeric material.
 27. The wheelbarrow compressor ofclaim 21, wherein the handle assembly further comprises a first sleeveattached with the first portion of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs and a handle configured to slidably engage the sleeve in atelescoping manner.
 28. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 21, whereinat least one of the first and second reservoirs is angled with respectto a central axis defined by the orientation of the wheel assembly. 29.The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 21, wherein the center of gravityhas a height that is no greater than an uppermost surface of the firstand second reservoirs when the wheelbarrow compressor is resting in thenormal operating position.
 30. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 21,further comprising: a base; and a pump and a motor operatively connectedwith the reservoirs, wherein the first and second reservoirs includebottom portions located at opposite sides of the base, wherein the baseis located below an uppermost surface of the first and the secondreservoirs, and wherein the motor and pump are disposed on the base andbetween the reservoirs.
 31. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 30,wherein bottom-most portions of the pump and the motor are no higherthan uppermost quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
 32. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 31, wherein the bottom-most portions ofthe pump and the motor are no higher than upper-mid quadrants of thefirst and the second reservoirs.
 33. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim31, wherein the bottom-most portions of the pump and the motor are nohigher than lower-mid quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.34. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 31, wherein the bottom-mostportions of the pump and the motor are no higher than lower-mostquadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
 35. The wheelbarrowcompressor of claim 31, wherein the base includes a recess that passespartially through the base.
 36. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 35,further comprising a flywheel operatively connected to the motor,wherein the flywheel is partially received in the recess.
 37. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 21, wherein the handle assembly includesa movable handle.
 38. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 21, whereinthe handle assembly includes a rotating handle.
 39. The wheelbarrowcompressor of claim 38, wherein the at least one handle assembly furthercomprises a rotating joint attached with the first portion of at leastone of the first and second reservoirs and the rotating handle.
 40. Awheelbarrow compressor comprising: a bottom facing a support surfaceupon which the wheelbarrow compressor rests in a normal operatingposition; a top located opposite the bottom; a motor; a pump operativelyconnected to the motor; a first reservoir for storing a fluid, the firstreservoir in fluid communication with the pump to deliver the fluidthereto; a second reservoir for storing a fluid, the second reservoir influid communication with the pump to deliver the fluid thereto; at leastone primary handle located proximate a first end of at least one of thefirst and second reservoirs; a wheel assembly located proximate a secondend of at least one of the first and second reservoirs, wherein thesecond end is generally opposite the first end, and wherein the at leastone primary handle is for lifting the first end of the wheelbarrowcompressor such that only the wheel assembly engages the supportsurface; a first secondary handle coupled to the wheelbarrow compressorat a first distance from a center of gravity of the wheelbarrowcompressor measured in a direction substantially parallel to the supportsurface when the wheelbarrow compressor is resting in the normaloperating position; and a second secondary handle coupled to thewheelbarrow compressor at a second distance from the center of gravitymeasured in a direction substantially parallel to the support surfacewhen the wheelbarrow compressor is resting in the normal operatingposition, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance,and wherein the at least one primary handle is not either of the firstand second secondary handles.
 41. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim40, wherein the first secondary handle has a first height above thesupport surface measured substantially perpendicular to the supportsurface when the wheelbarrow compressor is resting in the normaloperating position, the second secondary handle has a second heightabove the support surface measured substantially perpendicular to thesupport surface when the wheelbarrow compressor is resting in the normaloperating position, and the first height is greater than the secondheight.
 42. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 40, wherein the firstsecondary handle is located closer to the first end than the secondsecondary handle.
 43. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 40, whereinthe first and second secondary handles are attached to a top portion ofeach of the first and second reservoirs.
 44. The wheelbarrow compressorof claim 40, further comprising skids attached with at least a portionof a bottom surface of the first and second reservoirs.
 45. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 44, where the skids are made of anelastomeric material.
 46. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 40,wherein the at least one primary handle further comprises a first sleeveattached proximate the first end of at least one of the first and secondreservoirs and a handle configured to slidably engage the sleeve in atelescoping manner.
 47. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 40, whereinat least one of the first and second reservoirs is angled with respectto a central axis defined by the orientation of the wheel assembly. 48.The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 40, wherein the center of gravityhas a height that is no greater than an uppermost surface of the firstand second reservoirs when the wheelbarrow compressor is resting in thenormal operating position.
 49. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 40,further comprising a base, wherein the first and second reservoirsinclude bottom portions located at opposite sides of the base, whereinthe base is located below an uppermost surface of the first and thesecond reservoirs, and wherein the motor and pump are disposed on thebase and between the reservoirs.
 50. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim49, wherein bottom-most portions of the pump and the motor are no higherthan uppermost quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
 51. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 49, wherein the bottom-most portions ofthe pump and the motor are no higher than upper-mid quadrants of thefirst and the second reservoirs.
 52. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim49, wherein the bottom-most portions of the pump and the motor are nohigher than lower-mid quadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.53. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 49, wherein the bottom-mostportions of the pump and the motor are no higher than lower-mostquadrants of the first and the second reservoirs.
 54. The wheelbarrowcompressor of claim 49, wherein the base includes a recess that passespartially through the base.
 55. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 54,further comprising a flywheel operatively connected to the motor,wherein the flywheel is partially received in the recess.
 56. Thewheelbarrow compressor of claim 40, wherein the handle assembly includesa movable handle.
 57. The wheelbarrow compressor of claim 40, whereinthe handle assembly includes a rotating handle.
 58. The wheelbarrowcompressor of claim 57, wherein the at least one handle assembly furthercomprises a rotating joint attached with the first portion of at leastone of the first and second reservoirs and the rotating handle.